The Cow Shed Crail is undoubtedly one of our favourite places to elope in Scotland, for SO MANY REASONS. Not only does it hold some very lovely nostalgia for us, as it was where it all started for Gloam, but it’s also one of the most stunning wedding venues Scotland has to offer (and that’s saying a lot, as there’s loads of gorgeous ones!)
One of the reasons that we think The Cow Shed Crail is one of the best places to elope in Scotland is because of its setting. Nestled in the East Neuk of Fife, it obviously boasts the beautiful blank canvas venue itself, but did you know it also houses a jaw-dropping eye-watering heart-breaking-and-then-mending-because-its-so-phenomenally-beautiful private beaches and views across the water? Following a hidden track, a secluded stretch of beach down at The Sea Braes can be completely yours for your intimate celebration. (So really, if we wanted to get technical, we think The Cow Shed houses many of the best places to elope in Scotland – but who’s counting?)
It was this secret coastal escape that we wanted to showcase in this stunning – if we do say so ourselves – elopement inspiration shoot, dreamt up by our powerhouse stylist Lauren. The concept was a shoot that showed off the little luxuries that can so easily get lost in a larger do, and that focussed on attention to detail. Ultimately, this shoot was a celebration of being free to do things your way, whether you have 100 guests or none – basically the Gloam mission statement for life.
Obviously one of, if not the main, deciding factors when looking at places to elope in Scotland is the knockout scenery we have on our doorstep, coupled with our wonderful and wild weather. Lauren wanted to emphasise this by keeping all of the styling elements low – ensuring that you could both see the gorgeous view uninterrupted wherever you looked, but also to keep the styling windproof (not just a pretty face, our Lauren.)
With this in mind, the ceremony area was a simple but effective woven rug, and a couple of milk churns filled with big fluffy pampas and other dried grasses. A low table, surrounded by candles, lanterns, woven and wicker elements, cushions and throws made for the perfect spot for our couple to lunch, and to dig into their textural delight of a cake by Butter & Bodoni. (We’re very big proponents of getting a cake even if just for two of you, FYI. Can we have two mission statements? Is that allowed? Answers on a postcard please.)
After a lazy lunch under the hazy sky, our lovers strolled along the clifftop before arriving at the horsebox. The versatility of the spaces and the care they take is another reason we think The Cow Shed Crail is one of the best places to elope in Scotland, as a beautiful scripted “Just married” sign on its side makes the horse box a marker of the joyous occasion. Decked out on the inside with a muted colour scheme picking up on nudes and soft creamy yellows, it was the gorgeous spot to stop and have a moment taking it all in.
Immortalising it in its full glory was the epic Nikki Leadbetter behind the camera, and we were also thrilled to have Bella Nude’s brilliant and bold dress in front of it, for a day to be truly remembered.
Venue: The Cow Shed Crail
Photography: Nikki Leadbetter
Dresses – Bella Nude
Cake – Butter & Bodoni
Floristry and styling – all us
Models – our own Hazel and her man David